Knights of Pythias

The Order of Knights of Pythias, a great international, non-sectarian fraternity, founded in Washington, DC, by Justus H. Rathbone, in 1864, became the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the Congress of the United States after careful investigation by then-President Abraham Lincoln.

Our fraternal order follows three distinguishing principles, Friendship, Charity and Benevolence. Domains of the Order exist in most states and provinces, and subordinate lodges are located in many cities and towns across the United States, Canada and Europe.

Our order bases its lessons and builds it ritual largely on the familiar story of the friendship of Damon and Pythias. These historical characters lived about four hundred or more years before the beginning of the Christian era. They were members of a school, founded by Pythagoras, who was known as the father of Greek philosophy. Their loyalty to each other, the adventures that beset them, and the outcome of this noble friendship, form the basis for one of the most beautiful stories of history as exemplified in our ritual.

The Knights of Pythias supports charitable, benevolent, fraternal and social activities through its subordinate lodges, their members and the communities each services.

The primary charity supported by Supreme Lodge is the American Cancer Society. Many other charities and programs are supported by our Grand Lodges and Subordinate Lodges.

The real common thread throughout the Knights of Pythias involves our commitment to help people; when asked what we do, we answer quite simply: We volunteer! We help people! This common thread shows itself in everything we do. If someone approaches a Pythian and asks what we do, a Pythian simply lists the things that our order and the Pythian’s home lodge does and asks them if they want to help volunteer. Each year, the Supreme Chancellor’s Message, which outlines our annual program, reflects that imperative.

From Pythias.org